Orkney Library & Archive is open to everyone so whether you're a resident of Orkney or a visitor you are very welcome to come along and use our services. 

In our libraries in Kirkwall and Stromness we have a wide range of books for loan as well as audiobooks, eBooks, jigsaws, CDs and DVDs. We have free WiFi if you have your own device or you can use one of our public access PCs. Scanning and printing is also available. Stromness Library in the Warehouse Buildings has different opening hours to the main library in Kirkwall so check our website for more details.

The Orkney Archives are held within our main building in Kirkwall and is the place to go if you want to research your family history or learn more about the history and culture of Orkney. The Orkney Room houses an enormous collection of published works relating to Orkney while the Photographic Archives contains more than 60,000 images with the earliest dating from the mid-nineteenth century. The Archive opening times are slightly different to the Library:

Orkney Archives opening times:

Mon 10am - 6pm

Tues 10am – 6pm

Wednesday Closed

Thursday 10am – 6pm

Friday and Saturdays 10am – 5pm

Check our website for more details.

Orkney Family History Society also has an office within the building so if you are researching your Orkney family history they are definitely worth a visit.

Information about all our services and resources can be found on our website.

Kirkwall Library opening times detailed alongside.

Stromness Library opening times:

Monday 9.15am - 5.45pm

Tuesday 9.15am - 4.45pm

Wednesday 9.15am - 4.45pm

Thursday 9.15am - 5.45pm

Friday 9.15am - 4.45pm

Saturday 11am - 3.45pm

Sunday Closed